1970s

Throughout the 1970s, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander activism focused on self-determination. These artefacts show the success of new targeted programs, including ABSTUDY and the Community Development Employment Program, and the continued fight for equal access to Unemployment Benefit.

1970

Autobiography challenges stereotypes about Aboriginal people

In the absence of government help, Aboriginal people often relied on their communities for support. Shirley Smith told her story of becoming an unofficial welfare worker while challenging stereotypes about those who got government payments.

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Cover of 'Mum Shirl: an autobiography with the assistance of Bobbi Sykes'. There is a photo of Shirley Smith looking into the distance.
Even though white people say Blacks love to live on the social services, they don’t. The little bit of money might keep body and soul together between jobs but a person can’t plan their lives on the soco [social welfare] …
Shirley Smith in MumShirl, 1981, p 48
Even though white people say Blacks love to live on the social services, they don’t. The little bit of money might keep body and soul together between jobs but a person can’t plan their lives on the soco [social welfare] …
Shirley Smith in MumShirl, 1981, p 48

1970

Government introduces ABSTUDY and ABSEG

After introducing payments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, the government ran ads in magazines for Aboriginal audiences.

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Thumbnail image of an excerpt from New Dawn magazine, titled 'Aboriginal Secondary and Student Grants Schemes'.
The scheme, to be known as the Aboriginal Secondary Grants Scheme, forms part of the Government’s programme for Aboriginal advancement. Its purpose is to assist Aboriginal students who are likely to benefit from further secondary school studies …
Kunmanggur, January 1970, p 5
The scheme, to be known as the Aboriginal Secondary Grants Scheme, forms part of the Government’s programme for Aboriginal advancement. Its purpose is to assist Aboriginal students who are likely to benefit from further secondary school studies …
Kunmanggur, January 1970, p 5

1970

Principal ensures students get payments

Getting access to payments often relied on direct advocacy. Letters from the principal of an Aboriginal co-operative school provide examples.

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A letter from W A Clint to W Hayden, Minister of Social Security, dated 10 January 1973.
... the men of the Yarrabah community who are involved in the Aboriginal Co-operative Summer School will not have their Social Security payments disturbed during their absence from Yarrabah.
Bill Hayden, Minister for Social Security, 1973
... the men of the Yarrabah community who are involved in the Aboriginal Co-operative Summer School will not have their Social Security payments disturbed during their absence from Yarrabah.
Bill Hayden, Minister for Social Security, 1973

1971

Article marks ABSTUDY successes

An article about a new Aboriginal study grant profiled 3 of its early success stories – people who would go on to be well-known public figures over the decades ahead.

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Cover of 'Kunmanggur'. The design is very plain. At the top centre of the page is a small recreation of a cave painting and towards the bottom is a small block of text explaining the artwork adaptation.
The Aboriginal Study Grants Scheme began in 1969, and some very encouraging success stories of students receiving grants are now emerging.
Kunmanggur, May 1971, p 17
The Aboriginal Study Grants Scheme began in 1969, and some very encouraging success stories of students receiving grants are now emerging.
Kunmanggur, May 1971, p 17

1972

Workers involved in walk-off denied payments

Aboriginal workers walked off the Victoria River Downs cattle station in 1972 over pay and working conditions. The government was hesitant to pay Unemployment Benefit even though they passed the work test.

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Department of Labour and National Service minute dated 21 July 1972excerpt.
... the Minister for Social Services had announced that unemployment benefit was to be paid to some Aborigines living at Wattie Creek. As far as we know, benefit has not yet been paid.
PEF Kirby, Department of Labour and National Service, July 1972
... the Minister for Social Services had announced that unemployment benefit was to be paid to some Aborigines living at Wattie Creek. As far as we know, benefit has not yet been paid.
PEF Kirby, Department of Labour and National Service, July 1972

1973

DSS questioned about payments to Aboriginal people

The Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs questioned a high-level DSS official in 1973 and 1975. They touched on a range of issues relevant to Aboriginal people receiving payments.

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The cover of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs Transcript of Evidence for the date 'Monday, 8 October 1973'. Other text includes 'Taken at Canberra', and the names of people present.
Now that those exclusions have gone we do not have this question on the claim form ... Consequently, we do not know how many people are receiving pensions or unemployment benefit who are Aborigines.
Irwin Prowse, DSS, 1973, p 949
Now that those exclusions have gone we do not have this question on the claim form ... Consequently, we do not know how many people are receiving pensions or unemployment benefit who are Aborigines.
Irwin Prowse, DSS, 1973, p 949

1973

Government discusses impacts of payments on Aboriginal people

In response to questions about whether the government should further control payments for Aboriginal people, the Minister for Social Security discussed his concerns about the impacts payments were having, particularly on remote Aboriginal communities.

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House of Representatives Hansard. 1973 Questions without Notice cover page
I expressed some scepticism ... about the effects of the payments of these benefits to Aborigines ... there is a tendency for these to be exaggerated and dramatised for public effect
Bill Hayden, Minister for Social Security, 1973, p 2407
I expressed some scepticism ... about the effects of the payments of these benefits to Aborigines ... there is a tendency for these to be exaggerated and dramatised for public effect
Bill Hayden, Minister for Social Security, 1973, p 2407

1973

Activists use payments for change

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people used government payments to gain further rights and freedoms. Activist Joyce Clague’s story reveals how payments became linked to land rights.

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Photo of Joyce Clague seated behind a desk, with a pen in hand.
You know, you fellas can hurry this on, you know ... if you save 2 dollars at a time out of your pension, out of the child endowment, and if you work you give a little bit more because – and you fellas’ll have this soon.
Joyce Clague in oral history, 1996
You know, you fellas can hurry this on, you know ... if you save 2 dollars at a time out of your pension, out of the child endowment, and if you work you give a little bit more because – and you fellas’ll have this soon.
Joyce Clague in oral history, 1996

1973

DSS asked to translate information

In a series of letters, the Department of Aboriginal Affairs asked the Department of Social Security to publish information about government payments in language.

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A letter from L J Daniels to The Director of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, dated 14 November 1973.
... we will be happy to co-operate in any way we can to ensure that the Aboriginal people know and understand their Social Security entitlements.
LJ Daniels, Department of Social Security, 1973, p 9
... we will be happy to co-operate in any way we can to ensure that the Aboriginal people know and understand their Social Security entitlements.
LJ Daniels, Department of Social Security, 1973, p 9

1974

Report shows changing views of direct payments

A 1974 report about the impacts of bauxite mining on the Yirrkala community in Arnhem Land recommended against direct government payments for the community, reflecting a change from advice in a 1963 report.

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The cover of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs Report on the Present Conditions of Yirrkala People 1974. Other text reads: 'The Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia 1974 - Parliamentary Paper No. 227' 'Brought up and ordered to be printed 25 November 1974'. The publishing details read: 'The Government Printer of Australia Canberra 1975'.
At Yirrkala where labour is available but not forthcoming, unemployment benefits, in the Committee’s opinion, should only be paid to people who meet the same criteria as apply to the rest of the Australian community.
Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, 1974, p 49
At Yirrkala where labour is available but not forthcoming, unemployment benefits, in the Committee’s opinion, should only be paid to people who meet the same criteria as apply to the rest of the Australian community.
Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, 1974, p 49

1974

Public servant shares wide-ranging impacts of discrimination

At the 2015 Mabo Oration, Dr Dawn Casey discussed the discrimination her family faced when seeking a government payment in the 1970s and her own experiences of discrimination throughout her career in the Australian Public Service.

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Portrait photograph of Dr Dawn Casey, speaking with a microphone in front of her. She is wearing glasses and a purple woollen top.
By far my most difficult learning experience was to do with my father ... it did ... confirm my unconscious resolve that government policies and systems needed to change
Dawn Casey, 2015, p 12
By far my most difficult learning experience was to do with my father ... it did ... confirm my unconscious resolve that government policies and systems needed to change
Dawn Casey, 2015, p 12

1975

Report looks at impacts of payments on Aboriginal families

Researchers interviewed Aboriginal families in Adelaide about their housing, income, government payments and work as part of a wider study into poverty in Australia.

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Cover of 'Poverty among Aboriginal families in Adelaide' by the Australian Government Commission of Inquiry into Poverty. The Commonwealth Coat of Arms is included but otherwise the cover is plain.
The present system of social security encourages wives in poor families to leave their husbands and it supports the conditions which prevent Aboriginal men from marrying. Although a deserted wives’ pension is barely adequate, it is secure and reliable.
Fay Gale and Joan Binnion in Poverty among Aboriginal families in Adelaide, 1975, p 5
The present system of social security encourages wives in poor families to leave their husbands and it supports the conditions which prevent Aboriginal men from marrying. Although a deserted wives’ pension is barely adequate, it is secure and reliable.
Fay Gale and Joan Binnion in Poverty among Aboriginal families in Adelaide, 1975, p 5

1976

Report recommends Community Development and Employment Program

To address high unemployment rates, the government looked into ways to increase employment in Aboriginal communities. They considered introducing community-based work programs, but also looked into ways to make it harder to get Unemployment Benefit.

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Cover of the report of the Interdepartmental Working Party on Aboriginal Employment. The subtitle reads: 'Canberra 31st July 1976'.
The Department of Social Security is not equipped to deal with Aboriginal welfare, nor has that been its function; it does not have first hand knowledge of the impact of the payment of unemployment benefit on Aboriginals living as communities.
Interdepartmental Working Party on Aboriginal Employment, 1976, p 29
The Department of Social Security is not equipped to deal with Aboriginal welfare, nor has that been its function; it does not have first hand knowledge of the impact of the payment of unemployment benefit on Aboriginals living as communities.
Interdepartmental Working Party on Aboriginal Employment, 1976, p 29

1977

Government criticised for Unemployment Benefit rules

During discussions in the House of Representatives, Opposition Leader Gough Whitlam criticised the government of the day over proposed changes to procedures affecting Aboriginal people's access to Unemployment Benefit.

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House of Representatives, Unemployment Benefits, Discussion of Matter of Public Importance, Speech, Cover Page
The document shows that where claimants are not prepared to work away from the mission or settlement where they have always lived, they should be regarded as unavailable for work. This is a cruel, legalistic and discriminatory decision … Aboriginals often have a traditional association with the land where such missions and settlements are established.
Gough Whitlam, Leader of the Opposition, 1977, p 1110
The document shows that where claimants are not prepared to work away from the mission or settlement where they have always lived, they should be regarded as unavailable for work. This is a cruel, legalistic and discriminatory decision … Aboriginals often have a traditional association with the land where such missions and settlements are established.
Gough Whitlam, Leader of the Opposition, 1977, p 1110

1977

Government introduces CDEP

The Fraser Government introduced the Community Development Employment Program in 1977 to address Aboriginal unemployment and reduce the number of people applying for Unemployment Benefit.

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House of Representatives, Aboriginal Employment, Ministerial Statement, Speech, Cover Page
... are such people still entitled to unemployment benefit? ... If they are not, it appears to me to be a denial of rights to Aboriginals … I think it would be a big step backwards as it would mean that we would be creating discrimination ...
Laurie Wallis MP, October 1977, p 1938
... are such people still entitled to unemployment benefit? ... If they are not, it appears to me to be a denial of rights to Aboriginals … I think it would be a big step backwards as it would mean that we would be creating discrimination ...
Laurie Wallis MP, October 1977, p 1938

1977

Autobiography details one man’s pension experience

Social services impacted people in different ways. This excerpt from Jimmie Barker’s autobiography details his experience of having to stop work and beginning to get the pension.

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Cover of 'The two worlds of Jimmie Barker' with the title and a subtitle that reads 'The life of an Australian Aboriginal 1900-1972 as told to Janet Matthews'. There is a picture of 2 footprints.
It was only six weeks after I left the hospital that my first pension cheque arrived, and it has been coming regularly ever since. It is not very much, but it is much more money than I had in my early days. It is a great help to me.
Jimmie Barker, 1977, p 170
It was only six weeks after I left the hospital that my first pension cheque arrived, and it has been coming regularly ever since. It is not very much, but it is much more money than I had in my early days. It is a great help to me.
Jimmie Barker, 1977, p 170

1979

ABSTUDY ads use Aboriginal artwork

To better reach Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander audiences, the government started using Aboriginal artwork on their advertisements.

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ABSTUDY poster with the title 'Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders: ABSTUDY can help you' and print of a bird in a Tiwi design style
The Aboriginal Study Grants Scheme (ABSTUDY) helps Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders who have left school and want to study ...
Department of Education ABSTUDY brochure, July 1979
The Aboriginal Study Grants Scheme (ABSTUDY) helps Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders who have left school and want to study ...
Department of Education ABSTUDY brochure, July 1979

1979

Researcher highlights complex issues in remote servicing

In a briefing to public servants, Dr Young discussed difficulties faced by remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory. She highlighted DSS servicing gaps that she believed worsened the situation.

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First page of the DSS record Dr Elspeth Young's research presentation titled 'Research in Aboriginal Economy'. It is typed text. There is a 'Received' stamp on the top left corner of the page with the date 26 Feb 1980.
Dr Young feels that the reasons why so many men have neither work nor receive unemployment benefits are complex. Part of the problem lies with the Department of Social Security. There are poor communications between departmental officers and would-be recipients.
DAA and DSS, 1979, p 5
Dr Young feels that the reasons why so many men have neither work nor receive unemployment benefits are complex. Part of the problem lies with the Department of Social Security. There are poor communications between departmental officers and would-be recipients.
DAA and DSS, 1979, p 5
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